Yoga is a divine state where individual consciousness unites with the supreme consciousness. Every person has opportunity to attain this Divine State. It is a precious gift of Sanatan Hindu Dharma and Sanskrity to humanity.
We deeply appreciate and respect the tireless efforts of our illustrious Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji on account of which the United Nations General Assembly declared 21st June as International Yoga Day. He emphasized that “Yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being and establishes balance in all aspects of life.” With this, he ushered in a new era of comprehensive health awareness across the globe – focusing more on prevention rather than cure. Today, the global community is expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Modi for this historic initiative.
We are now celebrating the 11th International Yoga Day, which is dedicated to the theme: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” The aim is to highlight the interrelationship between human well-being and the health of our planet. It is simple to understand that when body and mind are healthy, we are able to take care of our fellow communities and the environment.
Today, an atmosphere of joy is prevailing around the world. The people across the world are practicing Yoga, which has given relief to countless people. This is a proud moment for us – the scientific practice of Yoga has been well-preserved in India. The entire world is now benefiting from the rich heritage of Yogic philosophy. We and our future generations are witnessing this divine era.
Yoga transcends boundaries of religion, caste, and colour. It has heightened the glory of India across the world and has also helped people stay awakened to supreme consciousness.
People often ask about the benefits of Yoga. The simplest answer is peace. The body and mind need peace the most. A disturbed mind and uncontrolled body can negatively affect society. Yoga is a divine gateway towards peace.
After Swami Vivekananda’s historic address on Vedanta at the Parliament of Religions, he was invited across the U.S. to speak on Vendanta philosophy. When he met American students, they asked how to focus on studies. Swamiji said: The only way is Concentration, which arises from peace of mind that is achieved through meditation. A peaceful mind is free from impure thoughts and filled with positive energy — an energy that benefits all living beings. A person with peaceful mind never makes wrong decisions. When body, mind, and soul are in harmony, there is no place for harm or impurity.
The Katha Upanishad describes Yoga as the art of controlling the senses. The Bhagavad Gita defines it as detachment from sorrow. Sage Patanjali, in his Yoga Sutras, explains Yoga as the method to control the fluctuations of the mind. Sri Aurobindo went further to say that human life itself is Yoga.
The ultimate goal of Yoga is to experience supreme consciousness. It is a state where the mind is aligned only with justice and righteousness, where values like compassion, kindness, friendship, and peace shine brightly. This state is essential for every human being, regardless of their religion, caste, community, or nationality.
Imagine a world where everyone practices Yoga together – all differences disappear. The sense of geographical boundaries vanishes from the mind. Regardless of the country, the whole world becomes one. When the mind becomes unified through Yogic practices, inner joy remains constant.
Indian tradition mentions that nature itself has taught us many Yogic postures. It’s true that this ancient knowledge of Yoga was overlooked. We need to consciously awaken ourselves. Yoga has always existed. We find its essence in all religions. Yoga and Yogic practices are deeply connected with life. A new beginning has already been made. India is shining on the global firmament. I make an earnest appeal to all beloved citizen to practice Yoga for healthy body and mind.
(The author is the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.)
